Peach tree named ‘FLATRUMBA’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree denominated ‘FLATRUMBA’ which have fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet white or cream white flesh, a red pigmentation into and around the stone cavity, and an attractive skin with a high percentage of luminous purple red blush on skin surface, on a washed red background.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘FLATRUMBA’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2018/3134 filed on Nov. 29, 2018 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The new variety named ‘FLATRUMBA’ is also known as 24.05.87.15 PBPL or ASF15245. Indeed, before giving a name to a new and distinct variety of fruit tree, a provisional reference is assigned, considering the references of a tree in orchard. This provisional reference is constituted firstly with the number of the parcel on which the tree has grown, then the number of the line, the tree number and finally the year of selection. Then before being named ‘FLATRUMBA’, the provisional reference of this white flat peach tree variety was 24.05.87.15, corresponding to the tree 87 located in line 05 of the parcel 24 and selected during the year 2015. The letters “PBPL” are related to the first letters of the type of tree in French (PBPL for “Pêche Blanche PLate”, that means “white flat peach”). Once the hybrid selected, the breeder assigned a clone reference that begins with the letters “ASF” followed by the year of selection and a number corresponding to the maturity order. The final name is only assigned once the application has been filed and the name approved after its publication in the official bulletin. For the variety ‘FLATRUMBA’, the clone reference was ‘ASF15245’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘FLATRUMBA’.

This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, semi-clingstone white flesh fruits, generally with a red pigmentation around and into the stone cavity, for fresh market at the end of August or in September in the Pyrénées-Orienteles department, France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘FLATRUMBA’ white flat peach tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘FLATRUMBA’ variety results from pollinated cross between the white nectarine variety named ‘NECTARBONDANT’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,458) which was used as the seed parent, or female parent, and the white flat nectarine variety named ‘CAKEDELICE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,632) which was used as the pollen parent, or male parent.

The ‘FLATRUMBA’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a ‘INRA GF677’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting. Every known type of grafting adapted to the peach tree may be performed on the new tree. Especially, the type of grafting will depend on the grafting period and the propagation mode which is used by the nursery owner. Thus, the grafting period may be micrografting at any moment of the year if the grafting is performed in greenhouse, dormant eye shield budding in August or September, growing eye shield budding in June or July, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘FLATRUMBA’ white flat peach tree blooms at the end of February or early in March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The blooming period is considered medium. However, it was observed that its date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘FLATRUMBA’ ripens generally late in the season, namely at the end of August. More particularly, ripening time usually begins between August 21^(st) and September 2^(nd). However, it was observed that its date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing a tree of the new variety in orchard;

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety ‘FLATRUMBA’ which is also referenced ‘24.05.87.15 PBPL ASF15245’ by the breeder.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which shows the upper and lower sides of leaves and different views of three typical specimens of the fruit of the new variety ‘FLATRUMBA’ at ripening time, one fruit having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting leaves, fruit flesh, pit and pit cavity of the new variety which is also referenced ‘24.05.87.15 PBPL ASF15245’ by the breeder.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph that shows different views of the stone of the new variety which is also referenced ‘24.05.87.15 PBPL’ on this figure, and the kernel of the stone.

The views of trees, leaves and fruits have been photographed in their third growing season (second year of production). The views of flowers have been photographed in their second growing season (first year of production).

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the flowers, stones and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘FLATRUMBA’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; flowering begins at the end of February or early in March. The type of flower is showy (rosette) with medium petal size. Petals are dark pink. Leaf glands are present and round. The fruit flesh is white or cream and generally with a red pigmentation into the stone cavity and in a star shape around the stone cavity, on approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters. The fruit skin is medium thick, with a purple red blush on a washed red background. The stone is semi-clingstone and its size is small. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘FLATMOON’ white flat peach variety (not patented), the fruits of ‘FLATRUMBA’ ripen approximately 2 weeks earlier. The fruit skin of the new variety ‘FLATRUMBA’ is colored with a luminous pink red blush covering at least 75% of the skin surface. In comparison, the fruits of ‘FLATMOON’ are less colored. The red blush covers 75% of the surface on a cream pink background. The closing of the pistil cavity is better in the ‘FLATRUMBA’ fruits, in comparison with the fruits of the ‘FLATMOON’ variety. The fruits of ‘FLATRUMBA’ are bigger that the fruits of ‘FLATMOON’ as the size is considered 3A for ‘FLATRUMBA’ whereas for ‘FLATMOON’ fruits are smaller as the size is considered 2A.

More particularly, in European Regulation related to commercialization of fruits, size 2A corresponds to fruits having a diameter between 73 and 80 mm, whereas size 3A corresponds to fruits having a diameter between 80 and 90 mm. Generally speaking, fruits having size 2A or 3A are considered as large to very large fruits.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree, the following was observed on trees in their third growing season (second year of production) for leaves and fruits and on trees in their second growing season (first year of production) for the trees and flowers under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘INRA GF677’ (non-patented) trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—         -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year             was approximately 200 to 280 cm. The tree was pruned during             each following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 80 cm. The             tree size from the second year (second and next years)             reached a final height of 330 cm including current season             shoots length. The tree size is consistently reduced to 250             cm the next years.         -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The             whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,             with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0             meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was             about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by             hectare.         -   Vigor.—Considered medium.         -   Productivity.—Considered good to very good, and regular.             Fruit set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining             fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the             fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and             cultural practices employed during the bloom period and is             therefore not distinctive of the present variety. A reduce             vegetation, obtained with pruning or green pruning,             approximately 1 month or 1 month ½ before harvesting flat             fruits, significantly promotes fruit qualities, especially             growth, color and firmness. Moreover, contamination risks             due to Monilia or rot are significantly reduced. ‘FLATRUMBA’             variety is not much sensitive to cracking of pistil cavity,             to cork formation into peduncle cavity or to Monilia             (Monilia fructicola).         -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered             homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1             year. Thinning of 2 fruits out of 3 was necessary for the             tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during             the years of observation.         -   Form.—The ‘FLATRUMBA’ variety has naturally a semi-flared             shape.         -   Foliage density.—Considered dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.             Experimentations on the same orchard in Elne,             Pyrénées-Orienteles department, with winter chilling             requirement below 7.2° C. comprised between 700 hours and             1200 hours according to the specificities of the year,             namely 1031 hours in 2012-2013, 777 hours in 2013-2014, 893             hours in 2014-2015, 718 hours in 2015-2016, 825 hours in             2016-2017, 1017 hours in 2017-2018 and 844 hours in             2018-2019 showed a good behaviour of the trees in all cases.             Traditionally, flat fruits are more sensitive to critical             low temperatures and to climatic variations, because of the             flower morphology in which the ovule is less protected than             in the classical round fruits. Thus, areas not much exposed             to frost are recommended for trees growth. However,             ‘FLATRUMBA’ trees seem to be very resistant to critical             frosty weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 36.0 to 40.0 millimeters in diameter             when measured at a distance of approximately 20.0             centimeters above the soil level in their third growing             season (second year of production).         -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The number of             lenticels reaches 2 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range             in size of approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters in width,             and about 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters in height.         -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels show a light orange color (RHS             Greyed Orange 165 B or RHS Greyed Orange 165 C).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a brown to grey color (RHS             Grey 201 A or RHS Grey 201 B) darker than the lenticels             color. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—The branches are pruned to approximately 1.0 meter in             length.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The             current season shoots have a diameter of approximately 4.0             to 6.0 millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter of             approximately 7.0 to 9.0 millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth for current season shoots and rough,             with lenticels, for mature branches, wood which is several             years old has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally 45 degrees from the             horizontal axis for current season shoots and 60° degrees             from the horizontal axis for mature branches. This             particular characteristic is not considered distinctive of             the variety, however.         -   Current season shoots.—         -   Internode length.—Generally 21.0 to 24.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered light green             (RHS Yellow Green 145 A) on lower part of new shoot tips,             whereas the upper part is darker and colored in purple (RHS             Greyed Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed Purple 183 B), depending             on the level on the tip and the sunlight exposure.         -   Mature branches.—         -   Internode length.—Generally 16.0 to 22.0 millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS Grey Brown N 199 B or             RHS Grey Brown N 199 C).         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on mature             branches. The number of lenticels reaches 6 lenticels per             cm². The size of lenticels is considered small. The             lenticels range in size from approximately 1.0 millimeter in             width, and about 0.5 millimeters in height. The lenticel             shape is round and slightly stretched.         -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels on mature branches have a             beige color (RHS Greyed Orange 164 C). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf             length/leaf width is 3.84.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 164.0 to 196.0 millimeters with             leaf petiole. The medium length is about 177.2 millimeters             with leaf petiole.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 40.0 to 50.0 millimeters. The             medium width is 46.2 millimeters.         -   Leaf form (in cross section).—Concave.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf base shape.—Acute.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate, short and pointed (acute).         -   Leaf thickness.—Medium.         -   Leaf color.—         -   Upper leaf surface.—Yellow Green (RHS Yellow Green 147 A).         -   Lower surface.—A slightly lighter green (RHS Yellow Green             147 B) than the upper leaf surface color.         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous on both upper and lower             surfaces of the leaf.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—         -   Color.—Light green, almost cream white (RHS Yellow Green 145             A or RHS Yellow Green 150 D). The color may evolve with             maturity.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters.         -   Secondary veins.—         -   Color.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 C or RHS Yellow             Green 145 D). Mid-vein and secondary veins are embossed on             lower surface of the leaves but are apparent on upper             surface too.         -   Red mid-vein on the lower leaf surface.—Absent.         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Leaf margin form.—Leaf margins are considered slightly             dentate or crenate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or             two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).         -   Leaf petioles.—         -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—About 10.0 to about 13.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—About 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.         -   Shape.—Grooved.         -   Petiole color.—         -   Upper petiole surface.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 144 B).         -   Lower surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B or RHS             Yellow Green 144 D).         -   Leaf glands.—         -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 1.0             millimeter and their width is about 1.0 millimeter.         -   Number.—Generally 2 or 3 glands per leaf.         -   Type.—Round.         -   Margins.—Smooth and regular.         -   Position.—Alternate on the upper part of petiole.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a             light green (RHS Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf glands             color turns to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A or RHS             Grey Brown 199 B or RHS Brown 200 A).         -   Leaf stipules.—         -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones.         -   Presence and intensity of flowering shoot anthocyanin             coloration.—A greyed purple color (RHS Greyed Purple 185 B)             is present on the upper part, i.e the surface which is             exposed to the sun, of the shoots.         -   Time of beginning of leaf bud burst.—Considered medium. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—         -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variable dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0 to 11.0             millimeters wide and approximately 16.0 to 18.0 millimeters             long.         -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flower's buds, or calyx, or flower receptacle, is of             purple brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A). The corolla,             formed by the petals, is generally of pink color (RHS Red             Purple 73 C or RHS Red Purple 73 D) on both faces. Petals             color shows an evolution until the end of flowering.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,             with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in             January. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed             a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42             degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and             30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins at the end             of February or early in March. The first bloom was observed             on Feb. 22, 2016.         -   Blooming time.—Considered medium in relative comparison to             other commercial peach cultivars grown in the             Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full             bloom is observed generally at the middle of the blooming             period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic             conditions and cultural practices. Thus, the full bloom was             observed in 2016, from February 22^(nd) until March 5^(th),             then from March 4^(th) until Mar. 9, 2017, then from March             2^(nd) until Mar. 7, 2018 and then from March 3^(rd) until             Mar. 13, 2019.         -   Duration of bloom.—Medium, approximately between 6 to 13             days. This characteristic varies slightly with the             prevailing climatic conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full             bloom is approximately 32.0 to 35.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered medium, approximately between 30             and 35 flowers per meter, with a high rate of fruit set.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1.         -   Petal size.—         -   Generally.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—Generally between 18.0 and 19.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally between 17.0 and 19.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.         -   Petal count.—Generally 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth, soft and glabrous on both upper and             lower surfaces of the petal.         -   Petal color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is             fully opened, both surfaces of the petal are colored with a             dark pink (RHS Red Purple 73 B or RHS Red Purple 73 C) when             young, becoming slightly darker until the end of blooming.             Stage F of blooming corresponds to the stage of flowering             where the flower is fully opened. Petal color may show an             evolution during the flowering, from the pre-floral stage we             previously described, until the end of flowering.         -   Fragrance.—Sweet.         -   Petal claw.—         -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a narrow form.         -   Length.—About 1.5 millimeters.         -   Width.—About 1.5 millimeters at the base.         -   Color.—The petal claw usually shows a pink color darker than             the petal color (RHS Red 51 A to RHS Red 51 B).         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered slightly undulating.         -   Petal apex.—         -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally shaped as a wide             dome.         -   Flower pedicel.—         -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of             approximately 3.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.5 millimeters.         -   Color.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A or RHS Yellow             Green 145 B).         -   Calyx.—         -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is             opened, the inner surface of the calyx, namely the flower             receptacle, is greenish yellow (RHS Yellow Green 153 C or             RHS Yellow Green 153 D). The outer surface of the calyx is             considered of purple brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A)             and light green near the base (RHS Yellow Green N144 A or             RHS Yellow Green N144 B). Stage F of blooming corresponds to             the stage of flowering where the flower is fully opened.             Calyx color, just as petal color, may show an evolution             during the flowering, from the pre-floral stage we             previously described, until the end of flowering.         -   Sepals.—         -   Sepal count.—5.         -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine             pubescent texture. The inner surface has a smooth texture.         -   Margins.—Smooth.         -   Size.—Medium to small.         -   Length.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Conic and round at the top.         -   Color.—The upper surface of the sepals shows a purple color             (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A) whereas the lower surface of             sepals is considered greenish yellow (RHS Yellow Green 153 C             or RHS Yellow Green 153 D).         -   Anthers.—         -   Generally.—Medium in length.         -   Shape.—Cordate.         -   Color.—At an early stage of maturity, anthers are colored             with an orange yellow (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A or RHS Yellow             Orange 16 B) or an orange red color (RHS Orange Red N 34 A             or RHS Greyed red Group 178 A). The color of the anthers             evolves with maturity.         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant and has an orange             yellow color (RHS Yellow Orange 17 B or RHS Yellow Orange             17 C) which may evolve with maturity. The present variety is             considered auto-fertile (self-pollinating).         -   Filaments.—         -   Size.—Medium length, between 10.0 and 13.0 millimeters in             length. Filaments length is generally slightly higher than             the pistil's length.         -   Color.—Considered pale pink (RHS Red Purple 62 C or RHS Red             Purple 62 D) or a slightly darker pink (RHS Red Purple 73 A             or RHS Red Purple 73 B). The color becomes darker at the end             of blooming.         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Generally between 34             and 38.         -   Pistil.—         -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 12.0 to 14.0 millimeters including the             ovary. Generally smaller than filaments in length when             considered without the ovary.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green Group             151 D) at the beginning of blooming period. The color             evolves during the blooming to become more and more pale             green (RHS Yellow Green 150 D) and sometimes very slightly             pink (RHS Red Group 36 D) at the end of blooming.         -   Ovary.—         -   Pubescence.—Present.         -   Stamen.—Size compared to petals.—The size of stamen is             smaller than the size of petals.         -   Stigma.—         -   Position compared to anthers.—The stigma is below the             anthers. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm in ripe conditions             (shipping ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 22, 2015.         -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly             with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘FLATRUMBA’             variety has a late date of picking, and a grouped maturity.             The maturity is grouped within 7 to 11 days and the harvest             is generally performed in two runs. Last known picking times             carry on from August 22^(nd) to Aug. 28, 2015, then from             August 22^(nd) to Aug. 28, 2016, then from August 21^(st) to             Aug. 27, 2017, and then from August 23^(rd) to Sep. 2, 2018.         -   Size.—         -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size, size 3A considering the             European Regulation related to commercialization of fruits.             Considered large, with a diameter generally between 80 and             90 millimeters.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 78.0 to 83.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 48.0 to 54.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Approximately 180 to 200.0 grams. This             characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—         -   Generally.—Round and flattened, generally with few bump,             slightly cordate. The fruit is generally uniform in             symmetry, viewed from the suture's plane, sometimes             asymmetrical.         -   Suture.—         -   Fruit suture.—The suture is usually absent, or wide-mouthed             and slightly marked when present, extending from the base to             the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along             the suture line. Not pointed.         -   Color.—When present, the suture has generally a similar             color to the whole fruit color, which is purple red (RHS             Greyed Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed Purple 183 B).         -   Ventral surface.—         -   Form.—Smooth.         -   Apex.—Slightly depressed.         -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.         -   Mucron.—Absent.         -   Closing of the pistil cavity.—Very good.         -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is considered             small, about 8.0 to 11.0 millimeters. Average width is             between 14.0 and 18.0 millimeters.         -   Fruit skin.—         -   Thickness.—Considered medium thick and strong, and the             adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium, depending on             the fruit maturity.         -   Texture.—Very smooth and almost glabrous for a peach             variety, the pubescence of the skin is almost non-existent.             However, the peach variety named ‘FLATRUMBA’, has a skin             pubescence, even the latter being very thin.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet, sugary.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.         -   Color.—         -   Blush color.—This blush color is a luminous purple red (RHS             Greyed Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed Purple 183 B). The purple             red blush covers approximately 75% of the fruit skin surface             on a washed red background (RHS Greyed Red 179 A or RHS             Greyed Red 179 B) on approximately 25% of the fruit skin             surface. The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin             surface can vary and is generally dependent upon the             prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown. FIG.             3 is a color photograph which shows fruit skin of the new             variety ‘FLATRUMBA’ at ripening time. As one can observed on             this figure, a couple of yellow blotches at the stalk end of             the fruit are present. These blotches are however not a             distinctive characteristic which is present on every fruit             of the new variety and may correspond to a trace which has             been left by branches on young trees. It has been noted that             this default tends to disappear on older trees.         -   Ground color.—The ground color covers approximately 25% of             the fruit skin surface, and is considered washed red (RHS             Greyed Red 179 A or RHS Greyed Red 179 B).         -   Lenticels.—None.         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 7.0 to 10.0             millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).         -   Flesh.—         -   Ripens.—Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long             shelf life.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at             harvest maturity stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Considered present to very pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good, aromatic.         -   Flavor.—Considered sweet to semi-sweet. The Brix is             generally superior to 13, and sometimes reaches 18, and             acidity is comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml.         -   Juice.—Juicy to very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally between 13.5 and 15.0 degrees. Sometimes,             the Brix reaches 18.0 degrees. This characteristic varies             slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing             cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—The flesh is considered white (RHS Green White             157 C or RHS Green White 157 D) or cream white (RHS White             155 A or RHS White 155 B), usually with a red pigmentation             (RHS Red 47 A) into the stone cavity and in a star shape             around the stone cavity, on approximately 5.0 to 6.0             millimeters, which can been seen on FIG. 3 when the fruit is             cut transversely. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Semi-Clingstone, more or less semi-adherent depending             on the fruit maturity.         -   Size.—Considered small for the variety. The stone size             varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop             load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 14.0 to 15.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 23.0 to 24.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 22.0 to 23.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Flattened.         -   Base.—Straight.         -   Apex.—         -   Shape.—The stone apex is flattened.         -   Stone cavity.—Considered small size, with flattened form and             dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.         -   Stone surface.—         -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are deeper and more oblate on             lateral sides.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and at the             apical tip.         -   Ventral edge.—         -   Width.—Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters at mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—         -   Shape.—Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B or RHS             Greyed Orange 164 C).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent.         -   Kernel.—         -   Size.—The kernel is considered small.         -   Length.—Approximately 9.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 8.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 7.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered flattened and elliptic. Sometimes double.         -   Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is orange-brown colored (RHS Greyed             Orange N167 A). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel,             is white (RHS White 155 A) and has a bitter taste. The             kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit             maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘FLATRUMBA’ is considered to be a             white flat peach tree having a late season of maturity, and             which produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively             colored in purple red. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and             are excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting             when at full maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative             qualities. Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density,             they can also be commercialized as 4^(th) range product             (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example). And they are             also useful for both local and very long-distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation             and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth             completion and after harvesting without alteration. After             growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week.             After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 2 weeks             at 2.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new             white flat peach variety showed minimal bruising of the             flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal             harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to             handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life             without alteration after harvest easily permit 2             weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very             sensitive to Monilia or rot. The pistil cavity is completely             closed, generally without any cork formation.

Although the new variety of white flat peach tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet white or cream white flesh, a red pigmentation into and around the stone cavity, and an attractive skin with a high percentage of luminous purple red blush on skin surface, on a washed red background. 